There’s no question Anthony Hopkins is one of the greatest actors of all time. He’s an Oscar, Emmy, and BAFTA winner and was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for his outstanding achievement in the field. But film is not the only art in which he excels. The 82-year-old is an avid composer and painter, sharing his passions with a loyal following on Instagram. And like many of us trying to survive quarantine and the COVID-19 pandemic, the Silence of the Lambs star is using his time at home to focus on his art.
But Hopkins was also itching to do more, so this month, he’ll be launching the Anthony Hopkins Fragrance Collection, and will release an eau de parfum, candles, and diffusers with packaging featuring his artwork. Proceeds will support the No Kid Hungry campaign. Below, Architectural Digest chats with the Hollywood legend (whose next film, The Father, comes out in December) about his new project and “rebel” painting process.
Architectural Digest: How did this scent project come to be?
Anthony Hopkins: During quarantine, I thought, What am I going to do? So, I painted and played the piano. I do everything I can to stop going crazy. I’ve always been a bit hyperactive, and suddenly the idea came to me about the crisis of kids going hungry. I wanted to give back. So the purpose of this brand of fragrance is rooted in my commitment to the partnership with No Kid Hungry. One purchase can provide up to 50 meals. We’re all caught up in this unprecedented, unknown situation, and I want to help kids in it because it must be deeply confusing to them.
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AD: Tell me a little bit about your artwork on the packaging.
AH: I chose different pieces [to be incorporated] like George the elephant [on the candle]. When I was a little kid, my grandfather used to take me to the circus. My grandfather used to call me George. So that became part of it. I chose the works at random because I never plan anything.
AD: What inspires your painting?
AH: A friend of mine, Stan Winston, saw my paintings like 10 years ago, when I started, and asked, “Who did this?” And I said, “I did this,” with a look on my face. He asked me about that look, and I said, “Well, I’ve never had any training.” He said, “Don’t! Just paint.” That’s what I do when I paint. As an actor, people think of me as being very serious. I’m not at any of that. I have never been. I’m an anarchist, a rebel. That’s the way I’ve approached painting. Whether it’s playing music or wearing crazy shirts, it’s to offset any image that I’m serious.
AD: Do you have a signature style?
AH: It’s a chaos of color because life is so cold, and I come from a beautiful rural part of Europe, but it was overcast. So, I love color because color has a great psychological, hypnotic effect. It’s impressionist with splashes of life.
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AD: Do you have a process?
AH: No, I never prepared. I put up a canvas and choose any color at random to start. Then, I think I made a mistake and put a little more over there. So, it’s a riot of chaos and color, and I mold a face out of it. Pieces. That’s all I do are faces. It’s a bit of a free for all.
AD: What made you decide to pick up a paintbrush?
AH: My wife. She’s so highly creative and highly motivated. She saw my sketches and doodles in my scripts and said I should start painting.
AD: Are you an art collector as well?
AH: Oh, God no. I couldn’t spend a million dollars on a piece. I’m too frugal.
